By TPBP Labuan
LABUAN — Church of the Blessed Sacrament Labuan resumes the house-to-house carolling this year after two years of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme chosen is “We are the salt of the earth and light of the world” (Mat: 13-1) in line with the theme of the Parish Assembly in 2023, and the Pan Malaysia Pastoral Convention (PMPC) 2026.
A total of 64 carollers gathered Nov 26 for a half-day recollection. Fr Thomas Madanan led a session on the season of Advent while the Parish Youth Pastoral Team conducted sessions on the theme and discipline during the visit.
Group sharing and games were held to foster friendship, enhance communication skills and self-discipline. It is hopeful that after the recollection, the carollers will live out the theme and joyfully bring the Good News to the families that they are visiting.
Fr Madanan blessed the carollers during the Sunset Mass on the same day. He said he hoped that the parishioners will give generous support to the carollers by welcoming them, and with thanksgiving in our heart, will serve the Lord. After Mass, parishioners proceeded to the Spiritual Garden of St Joseph for the Carols by Candle Lights, an annual programme to mark the beginning of the advent house-to-house carolling.
The carollers performed carols, dances and sketches. The Bapa-Bapa Group, Catholic Women’s League and the Komuniti Pastoral Katolik Indonesia Labuan (KPKIL) also joined in to sing carols. It was wonderful to see all the parishioners gathered together in preparation for the Christmas season especially during an endemic period. The event ended with blessings by Fr Madanan, and the house-to-house carolling commenced on Nov 27 for two weeks.
In the meantime, 81 students received their first Holy Communion on the first week of Advent. It was a remarkable sight to see, children are always dear to Jesus as they are innocent and humble. May the First Holy Communicants live out their lives as salt of the earth and light of the world.
